Hospital project raises political heat in Haryana's Rewari

The political scene in Rewari, one of the most prominent districts in the Ahirwal region, has heated up in recent days following an indefinite dharna (sit-in protest) by residents of Ramgarh-Bhagwanpur villages. The villagers are demanding that the proposed 200-bed hospital project be established in their village. Fearing the project may be executed elsewhere, they have intensified their agitation to pressure the state government into accepting their demand.

What is the 200-bed hospital project in Rewari?

The hospital project was announced by the state government some years ago. It aims at addressing the space constraints and infrastructural limitations of the existing Civil Hospital in Rewari, which is prone to waterlogging during the monsoon and lacks space for expansion or new medical facilities. The current hospital is also located in a densely populated area, making it unsuitable for further development. As a result, the government is in the process of identifying suitable land for setting up the project.

Why are villagers carrying out an agitation?

Residents of Ramgarh-Bhagwanpur village have been staging an indefinite dharna for the past nearly three weeks, demanding that the project be established in their village. They argue that Bhagwanpur is the most suitable location and have even passed a formal resolution offering eight acres of panchayat land, located just 500 metres from the Rohtak-Rewari Highway (NH-71A). Protest leader Anil Yadav, son of the village sarpanch Krishna Devi, claimed that the land of Bhagwanpur and Gokulgarh villages were shortlisted initially but Gokulgarh was later found unsuitable. “Naturally, they expected the hospital to be established at Bhagwanpur. Instead, efforts are now being made at higher levels to establish the project elsewhere,” he said.

Why are protesters apprehensive about the project being executed at another location?

The villagers are concerned following reports that the project may be set up at another place. According to the protesters, an official communication was recently sent to Shehbazpur’s gram panchayat, asking it to prepare a proposal to allot five acres of land to the Health Department for the proposed hospital. This has raised suspicions among the protesters, who allege that political interests are driving the attempt to set up the project elsewhere other than their village.

What is the protesters’ future plan?

The protesters plan to escalate their movement. They have announced a pad yatra (foot march) from the protest site to the Mini-Secretariat in Rewari city on July 13 to press for their demand. The agitation has gained attention beyond Bhagwanpur, with residents from nearby villages pledging support. A recent mahapanchayat held regarding the issue drew a crowd from neighbouring areas. The AIIMS Sangharsh Samiti has also announced its support for the agitation and will join the upcoming foot march.

What do health authorities say in this regard?

Dr Narender Dahiya, Civil Surgeon, Rewari, said he had not yet received any official information about the final site for the proposed hospital. Another Health Department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Health Minister Arti Singh Rao had visited and surveyed a few potential sites as part of the ongoing site selection process. The government was yet to take a final call on selection of site.